Month: January 2016

The Cotswolds Conservation Board working with the Friends of the Cotswolds learnt on 20 January that their Heritage Lottery Fund bid has been unsuccessful.

The bid, submitted in October, was for significant enhancements to the Old Prison visitor centre in Northleach, including all weather gallery to better display the important agricultural collection.

Simon Randall, Chairman of the Friends of the Cotswolds said: “We are disappointed that this application has not been successful for the further development of the Old Prison. We will be asking for feedback on the Heritage Lottery Fund decision and we will continue to apply for other funding to extend and enhance the Old Prison visitor experience”.

The site has been recently rebranded as the Cotswolds Discovery Centre to apply some of the changes as a ‘Cotswolds experience’ outlined in the application to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Martin Lane, Director of the Cotswolds Conservation Board said: “We will listen and take on board feedback from the Heritage Lottery Fund while setting out a new funding drive for the Old Prison. We know that visitors and the local community enjoy visiting the centre . The Cotswolds Discovery Centre at the Old Prison is a popular visitor destination and community hub and we have an exciting new range of events and activities for the whole family throughout this spring and summer. We are looking forward to continued support from local residents and to welcoming even more visitors to the centre.”

To see the programme of events and activities running in February half term and in the spring visit www.escapetothecotswolds.org.uk/discoverycentre

Keen amateur photographers of all ages were offered the opportunity to capture what they felt sums up the beauty and uniqueness of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in a new competition last year. The competition sponsored by Clifton Cameras was set up to mark the 50th anniversary of the AONB.

Peter Llewellyn from Painswick is the overall winner with his photo ‘Cotswold Views’ taken from the top of St Mary’s Church in Painswick. Runners up were; Nicole Marina from Kingham with her photo of a little girl running through the countryside near Daylesford and Mary Nelson from Cheltenham with her capture of Cleeve Hill. In the under 16’s category Tom Cross aged 14 from Malmesbury in Wiltshire won with his photo of a Cotswold sunrise.

(First place) Peter Llewellyn from Painswick is the overall winner with his photo ‘Cotswold Views’

(Third place) Mary Nelson from Cheltenham with her capture of Cleeve Hill

(Second place) Nicole Marina from Kingham with her photo of a little girl running through the countryside near Daylesford

(Under 16’s category First place) Tom Cross aged 14 from Malmesbury in Wiltshire won with his photo of a Cotswold sunrise

A big thank you to everyone who entered their stunning photos of the Cotswolds. You can see a selection of the entries on Facebook.

If photography is your thing then look out for more information about the Cotswolds Inspired Art Exhibition. The exhibition will showcase art work in a variety of mediums and genres inspired by the Cotswold landscape. Submissions open from March 2016. Click here to find out more.

The Cotswolds Conservation Board has a vacancy for a Parish Council Member.

The Establishment Order for the Board requires that its membership includes eight Parish Members. The Order divides the Cotswolds AONB area into eight groups of Parishes for appointment purposes, with each group appointing one member. There is currently a vacancy on the Board for an appointee from Group 6 (click here for a list of all of the Parishes in Group 6). Parishes in Group 6 are invited to nominate either a Member of their Council or the Chairman of the Parish Meeting to fill this vacancy.

Nominations must be returned by no later than 5pm on Monday 1st February 2016. Nominations should follow a resolution of your Council or Meeting and the Chairman’s signature is to be placed at the bottom of the nomination form. A copy of the nomination form can provided by the contact below.

The Clerks of all parishes in Group 6 have been sent notification of the election with the above information and further details on the Conservation Board, the role and duties of its Members and on the Election process. The Election is being administered for the Board by Cotswold District Council. If your parish is in Group and you have not received notice of the Election, or if you have any questions on the election process, please do not hesitate to contact either of the following Officer:

If you have any further questions on the election process, please do not hesitate to contact Nigel Adams.